Movable Sanitary Body Cleaning Nozzle for Toilet Bowl Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic toilet cleaning devices are complex and prone to failure, often resulting in unsatisfactory cleaning outcomes.

Innovation Solution

A sanitary article arrangement featuring a sanitary body with a receiving space, a drain opening, and a pipe extension, where the sanitary body is pivotable or rotatable to direct a cleaning fluid from a single or multiple nozzles for thorough cleaning of the inner surface, utilizing a drive unit with an actuator to move the sanitary body relative to the nozzles for efficient cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple cleaning nozzles are used to clean the entire inner surface, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning coverageVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having multiple stationary nozzles fixed at different positions around the toilet bowl, the patent inverts the approach by using a single movable nozzle that travels with the sanitary body. The nozzle is positioned on the movable sanitary body and cleans the inner surface as the body rotates, transforming the problem from covering all areas with multiple fixed points to reaching all areas with one moving point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the cleaning nozzle movable rather than stationary. The nozzle is integrated with the sanitary body that rotates around the toilet bowl, allowing the nozzle to dynamically access different positions on the inner surface. This dynamic positioning replaces the need for multiple stationary nozzles, simplifying the device while maintaining comprehensive cleaning coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If a complex structure is used to achieve thorough cleaning, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential cleaning function from a complex multi-nozzle system and concentrates it into a single nozzle integrated with the movable sanitary body. By removing unnecessary components and focusing on the core cleaning action, the device achieves effective cleaning with simpler construction, thereby improving reliability and reducing susceptibility to malfunctions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sanitary body with the integrated nozzle serves its own cleaning function by rotating around the toilet bowl and cleaning the inner surface during its operational cycle. The system leverages its own movement to perform the cleaning task, eliminating the need for separate complex mechanisms, which enhances both simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Area of stationary object

If multiple nozzles are installed to clean all surfaces, then the cleaning completeness is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning completenessVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by positioning a single nozzle on the movable sanitary body rather than installing multiple nozzles on the stationary structure. This inversion allows the nozzle to cover the entire inner surface through the movement of the sanitary body, significantly reducing the number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The single cleaning nozzle integrated with the movable sanitary body serves as a universal cleaning element that can reach all areas of the inner surface through the rotational movement of the body. This multi-functional design replaces multiple specialized nozzles, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining complete cleaning coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows for effective cleaning of the entire inner surface with a minimal number of nozzles, ensuring a satisfactory cleaning result while simplifying the cleaning process and reducing the risk of device failure.

Implementation Method 1

at least one fixed cleaning nozzle with which a cleaning fluid can be applied to at least a portion of the inner surface for cleaning

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP3922778B1Sanitary article assembly
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP3922778B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3922778B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3922778B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A sanitary article arrangement (1) comprises a sanitary body (2) with a receiving space (3), a drain opening (4) adjoining the receiving space (3) and a pipe connection (5) adjoining the drain opening (4), wherein the receiving space (3) is provided by a wall (6) which wall (6) has an inner surface (7) facing the receiving space (3), and at least one fixed cleaning nozzle (8) with which a cleaning fluid can be applied to at least a partial area of ​​the inner surface (7) for cleaning the inner surface (7), wherein the sanitary body (2) is movable from a starting position relative to the at least one cleaning nozzle (8) for cleaning, such that the inner surface (7) can be sprayed with the cleaning fluid by the movement of the sanitary body (2).